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For many years, we supported ourselves with donations, book sales, and a few grants. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult for us to fund our books. Without your support and donations, there would be no Jackpine Writers’ Bloc and no Talking Stick books. Remember, your tax donation is tax deductible. We are a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization.

October Writers’ Meeting

PAST EVENTS:
The TS25 book release party went very well. The new location was almost too small for us. We will need to have discussions about next year—whether we should stay with the Patio but use their bottom floor or if we might consider going back to Blueberry. We were getting too large for Blueberry but now they have made some changes that would give us more room. The two places cost us about the same amount of money but the new location was so much more work for us. Thanks to all who attended and helped. We are still selling books and receiving donations. Sharon still has some books on hand for sale and they are on sale on Amazon now.
The reading room at the museum for the month of August in Park Rapids was well attended. The books are still stored at the museum. The furniture is back at Jerry’s. We are hoping there will be room for a permanent reading room at the Armory in Park Rapids MN.
The American Story event at the Armory on Oct. 24 was well attended by over 150 people. It was good to have it on Art Leap weekend. There were only 9 entries but the word has spread and there should be more next year.
Erin Marsh taught a poetry class in Bemidji for 4 Saturdays in a row. They are considering meeting once a month. The class used the book Triggering Town for prompts. There may be another class on Revision using the Ted Koozer book Poetry Home Repair Manual.
Dawn attended a Poetry Slam workshop at the Headwaters School of Music in Bemidji called SLAM Rools and Tools School. The teacher was Julia Oxenreider. It was a 3 hour class covering basics, tools, types, examples, suggestions, and writing.
Jerry attended a writers’ workshop in Hill City SD near Mount Rushmore on Oct 7-9. This was put on by the Hill City Arts Council and cost 150.00 for 3 days.

FUTURE EVENTS:
Brainerd Writers Alliance Fall Writers’ Festival will be held on October 29, 2016 at the Northland Arboretum in Baxter MN. www.brainerdwriters.com. To register: brainerdwriters@gmail.com or 218-828-7750 by October 24.
Wild Rice Festival at Park Rapids Armory on 10-22-16 from 10 AM to 12 Midnight. Our friend Elisa Korenne will be playing music from 1:45 to 2:30 PM. She is a singer/songwriter as well as a writer. The day-long event has more music, a wild rice hotdish contest, artwork, presentations on wild rice species and processing, winnowing and sage baskets, birch bark star making.
An Open Book in Wadena will have monthly events on the second Saturdays. Faith Sullivan will start out November. Jerry will read their books and ask questions of the author and then the author will read.
There will be a Poetry Slam at Toddies in Bemidji on October 27. Register with Headwaters School of Music. Open to all but limited to about 15-20 people.

WRITING TIP:
If you are stuck, try making a list of words. It might trigger something or you can start by writing something using the words you came up with.

Many attendees brought something to read and the rest of us critiqued. After the readings, several of us discussed sending some of our recent books in to the MIPA contests.

Another excellent meeting. Good reads, good friends. Hope to see you all next time!